BARTable This Weekend: Oct. 4-6

A woman performs at the Indigenous Red Market. Photo courtesy of the Indigenous Red Market.

This weekend, the Bay Area promises plenty of excitement. In the East Bay, ESPN will bring their pregame show "College GameDay" to UC Berkeley for their game against the Miami Hurricanes, BART will run early service to get you to the event! Meanwhile, check out the 50th Annual Castro Street Fair in San Francisco, attend a free concert at Yerba Buena Gardens or kick off the Halloween season early with a visit to the Terror Vault. Don't forget your Clipper card, and have a beautiful day in the Bay. 

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Cal Bears v. Miami Hurricanes 

Oct. 5 | Downtown Berkeley

6 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. | 2227 Piedmont Ave. 

There’s nothing quite like being in the middle of the action. This weekend, cheer on the Cal Bears as they take on the Miami Hurricanes at California Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m. In an exciting update, ESPN will host their pregame show, "College GameDay," at Cal for the first time. BART will run early train service to get fans to Downtown Berkeley around 5 a.m., the show will broadcast live from 6-9a.m. 

Later in the evening, catch the game 1.1 miles from Downtown Berkeley. Head east on Center St and see this map for the most direct walking route. Alternatively, catch a free shuttle from Downtown Berkeley BART with drop-offs near the stadium. Service runs 2.5 hours before game time and continuously until one hour after kickoff. Service will resume at the start of the fourth quarter for postgame transportation.

For all the Cal Bears and BART fans we have a limited number of Cal BARTy stickers available at railgoods.com. Get them while supplies last here.

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival 

Oct. 5 | Montgomery St

1-3 p.m. | 77 Mission St. 

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is the independent presenting organization dedicated to enhancing the vitality and quality of life in the parks and open spaces of Yerba Buena Gardens and other public sites of San Francisco through the curated presentation of free artistic, community, and cultural programs. This weekend, they present Ouida + Ian Santillano. Ouida is a Filipino and Irish-American singer-songwriter, while Ian Santillano is a guitarist and singer/songwriter with a singular blend of soul, folk, rock and funk driving his introspective lyrics. Both are part of Bolo Music Group, a new label rapper and producer Ruby Ibarra launched. Take BART to Montgomery St and head 0.4 miles to Mission St between 3rd and 4th Sts.

"Choir Boy"

Through Oct. 20 | Ashby
Times Vary | 1901 Ashby Ave.

The soul-stirring musical, “Choir Boy,” arrives in Berkeley this weekend. This is not a coming-out story. It's a story about the power of self-love. Pharus attends the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys and is the lead singer for their renowned choir. He is not only open about his queer identity, he also questions long-held traditions. With contemporary arrangements of traditional African American spirituals and dance, Choir Boy is a brilliant, moving, and uplifting play from Academy Award-winning playwright, Tarell Alvin McCraney. Take BART to the Ashby Stage to catch the show 0.1 miles from Ashby. 

California Jewish Open

Through Oct. 20 | Montgomery St

11 a.m.-5 p.m. | 736 Mission St.

The first major open-call exhibition invites Jewish-identifying artists in California to submit pieces in response to a central question: how are artists looking to the many aspects of Jewish culture, identity and community to foster, reimagine, hold or discover connection? The result? An exhibition of forty-seven artists reflecting on their connection to Judaism, the world and their own history. Expect paintings, sculptures, interactive video games, video works, photographs and more. Witness the exhibition 0.3 miles from Montgomery St.

You needn’t pay a dime – or even a pretty penny! – to enjoy the breadth of the Bay Area’s offerings. Below you’ll find a roundup of free local events, including festivals, markets, museum admission-free days and more!

Stroll the Castro Art Walk this weekend. Photo courtesy of castroartwalk.com.

North Beach First Fridays Art Crawl
Oct. 4 | Montgomery St
5-9 p.m. | Grant Ave. and Vallejo St.

This weekend near BART, North Beach galleries, museums, restaurants and bars welcome art lovers to the First Fridays Art Crawl. Businesses will stay open late for a self-guided tour showcasing the vibrant art and entertainment of this bustling San Francisco neighborhood. After time perusing, take a break and dine at one of North Beach’s many fantastic eateries. Take BART to Montgomery St for art and more, just 0.8 miles away.

Castro Art Walk
Oct. 4 | 16th St Mission 
5-8 p.m. | 2324 Market St.

Explore the iconic neighborhood and enjoy a journey of art exhibits on the Castro Art Walk. The walk is an invitation to discover the creativity and artistic talent that thrives in the Castro neighborhood. Fifteen art galleries and local merchants extend their business hours to host special events and share artwork with the community. Be sure to RSVP if you want the digital map and guide to art exhibits on the walk. Immerse yourself in this self-guided tour and see what the Castro District has to offer, 0.8 miles from 16th St Mission.

San Francisco’s Free Tech Week

Oct. 5 | Stations Vary

10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Locations Vary

Looking to build new skills and master technology? The San Francisco Public Library and community partners are partnering for Tech Week. This is your chance to learn from over 40 free programs and receive one-on-one tech support! Sessions range from AI and robotics to beginner computer skills and music workshops.

San Francisco’s 50th Annual Castro Street Fair

Oct. 6 | 16th St Mission 

11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Castro St. and Market St. 

The Annual Castro Street Fair is a street celebration founded by Harvey Milk in 1974 to promote gay-owned businesses and celebrate the vitality of the Castro neighborhood. Always held on the first weekend in October, it celebrates diversity in style with hundreds of local artists, vendors and craftspeople. There will also be stages with live entertainment, DJs and dance areas. This is a free event, but the suggested donation is $10 to $20. Join the festivities 0.9 miles from 16th St Mission. 

Free Museum Days
Oct. 6 | Multiple stations
Times Vary | Locations Vary

The Bay Area is home to many world-class museums with incredible exhibits and beautiful art. This weekend, take advantage of free admission days at both the Asian Art Museum and the Oakland Museum of California. 

• The Asian Art Museum is free on the first Sunday of each month (Oct. 6). Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza, which is only 0.1 miles away at 200 Larkin St. There, you can witness artwork from all major cultures in Asia.
• Oakland Museum of California has free admission on the first Sunday of each month (Oct. 6). Take BART to Lake Merritt to enjoy OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History and Natural Sciences, 0.1 miles away at 1000 Oak St.

New events have just arrived in the Bay Area! New shows, one-time events, unique workshops, annual events or anything that's just popped up on our radar. Learn more about what qualifies as "BARTable" or use hashtag #sfbartable for the chance to be featured!

Terror Vault in San Francisco near BART. Photo courtesy of Funcheap SF.  

Garden at the Flea MexiPino Fest
Oct. 4 | Berryessa/North San Jose
5-9 p.m. | 1590 Berryessa Rd.

Garden at the Flea is partnering with Mi Gente for this festive MexiPino celebration. Enjoy a fusion of Mexican and Filipino cultures through art, music and dance. Expect talented artists, fun dance performances, traditional food and a great time! Find your way to Berryessa/North San Jose to enjoy the festivities 0.7 miles away.

Salonen Conducts Brahms 4
Oct. 4-6 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
Times Vary | 201 Van Ness Ave.

Head to the Davies Symphony Hall this weekend to witness Salonen Conducts "Brahms 4." The program includes Dmitri Shostakovich’s "Violin Concerto No. 1" and Johannes Brahms's "Symphony No. 4." There’s also a Photo Exhibit titled "Nature in Art" that will be located in the First Tier lobby until Nov. 2.  It’s a photography exhibit exploring the intersection of nature and art, with artwork by First Exposures. Witness incredible talent 0.3 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.

Terror Vault 
Oct 5 | Powell St
6-9:30 p.m. | 88 5th St.

San Francisco’s spooky haunted attraction returns with “Fatal Abduction.” The all-new, bigger, and scarier theatrical and immersive experience is from the insane mind of Peaches Christ. It’s one hour long and spans 15,000 sq. ft with 32 fully developed immersive sets and 60 scare actors. If you dare, exit BART at Powell St and walk 0.2 miles to the historic 1874 San Francisco Mint. 

Indigenous Red Market
Oct. 6 | Fruitvale
11 a.m.-4 p.m. | 1443 Derby Ave. 

The Indigenous Red Market will be back this weekend near BART. Snotty Nosed Rez Kids is heading the event as part of their Red Future Tour. Don't miss this chance to see them for free, along with Suspended, DJ Tyski, Powwow dancers and more. Join the fun 0.4 miles from Fruitvale. 

Looking for more BARTable things to do? Grab lunch and enjoy a BARTable picnic. Take a stroll through San Jose. Or revamp your wardrobe at these BARTable shopping centers. Don't forget to use BART's Trip Planner to plan your outing!

What are you doing this weekend?

Tell us about your weekend activities! Show us on social media at @SFBARTable and #SFBARTable! Keep up with us on Instagram and Facebook to see all of the best BARTable events, places to eat and where to have fun around the Bay.